LEIGH funnyman Phill Jupitus fronts improvised Hollywood export Totally Looped at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, on Friday night.

The show started out in Los Angeles, with comedians showing a selection of old film clips, turning down the volume and adding their own voices and sound effects to conjure up new dialogue, at the suggestion of the audience.

For example, a black and white Thirties classic could see Cary Grant sitting in a bar having a drink with a beautiful woman, but the new theme shouted out by somebody in the theatre is, “Ninja Rabbis”. Not as simple as it sounds, this laughter lark, is it?

“It’s certainly a challenge and very, very random, but I like that,” says Phill, 46. “Anybody who liked Whose Line is it Anyway? will love this show.

“There’s a few of us on stage and we’ll play a classic movie clip, with the big screen visuals element going on behind us, before revoicing it at the crowd’s suggestion.

“The audience are really key to this and have the most important job as they decide which way it goes. We’ve had some stupidly mad suggestions, but that’s what keeps it fresh. The crazier, the better!

“We might have an old war film coming up next and when we put it to the floor the topic they shout out is ‘knitting’. We have to voice over the clip with a load of soldiers talking about scarves and mittens.

“It started out in America and is very popular out there, with people like Dan Castellaneta, who is Homer Simpson’s voice, taking part. I’m sure this first UK tour will make it a success here too.

“The cast always rotates. I’m doing five dates, which I really enjoy as it means you get to work with different and new people, discovering new things and learning a bit along the way.” Phill admits to having an improvisation advantage over some of his colleagues, which includes Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No.42 star Sanjeev Bhaskar.

He says: “Having done shows like Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI, I’ve already done a lot of improvised work. People don’t always realise, but those half- hour shows are selected cuts from as much as two hours of recording. They really are a testament to the editor’s talents.

“It’s a bit different with Totally Looped, being up on stage in front of a live audience. There’s no editing. You just have to get on with it and it’s great fun seeing how everybody copes with the audience’s demands.”

Phill has always been a big lover of music and has been known to pick up the guitar once in a while, performing at the Palace in the past with Ian Dury’s band, the Blockheads.

He also has a deep appreciation of up-and-coming talent, especially on the local scene. “Watch out for a Southend band called Reactions,” says Phill, whose latest venture was a trip to Detroit to record a documentary on cars for BBC Radio 4.

“I saw Reactions play a gig at my daughter’s school, Westcliff High, and they were brilliant.

“They are a group of young lads who sound like a mix between the Shadows, the Specials and Mogwai.”

Phill also believes Southend’s comedy future is in safe hands, with local lad Russell Kane’s star continuing to rise. “Russell’s done really well. He’s got his own radio show and been getting himself on the TV,” says Phill. “He’s got a good working relationship, writing with his missus Sadie, and does a great stand-up routine. ”

And, while you’re on Phill, what has happened to Mark Lamarr?

The moody self-styled Fifties throw-back with the greased hair quit fronting Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2005, replaced by geek supreme Simon Amstell, and failed to appear in the recent comeback of Shooting Stars, in which he was a former team captain.

“Mark’s still around and presents the best radio show around on Fridays, God’s Jukebox, on BBC Radio 2,” Phill says. “He gave Buzzcocks ten great years and it didn’t surprise me he wasn’t part of the Shooting Stars revival. Once Mark cuts his ties with something that is it, game over.”

Tickets for Totally Looped are £13.50 and doors at the London Road venue open at 8pm.

Call 01702 351135.